• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

DONATE
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Our Bloggers
    • ESN Writing Inquiries
    • Commenting Policy
  • Reading Lists
  • Scholar’s Compass
    • Scholar’s Compass Discussion Guide
    • Scholar’s Compass Posts
    • Scholar’s Compass Booklet
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Events
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
Home » Science Corner: A Rocket Race Everyone Wins

Science Corner: A Rocket Race Everyone Wins

March 22, 2017 by Andy Walsh Leave a Comment

rocket launch photo
Satellites and space probes are a much better use for rockets than warheads. (Photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video )

Although India’s first Mars mission was a couple of years ago, the enthusiasm for Hidden Figures likely inspired a recent profile of some of the women on the team behind the mission. Getting to Mars wasn’t the end of the story, either. Last month, the Indian space agency shattered the record for most satellites launched from a single rocket, setting a new standard for cost efficiency. When other space programs are facing budget cuts and cancellation of satellite launches, proven methods for doing more with less may be in demand.

I am certainly not an expert on any of the social, economic or political dynamics of India. The profile discusses the reality that the success of the women in the space program is not representative of what many Indian women experience. Still, anything that creates and expands opportunities seems like a step in the right direction. Even if the budgets are small by comparison to other space projects, spending tens of millions to send a rocket to another planet feels extravagant compared to what could be purchased with those funds in terms of basic needs like food and clean water. Measuring the return of investment in inspiration is challenging.

The United States still has room to improve when it comes to maximizing opportunities for everyone in science and technology fields. If our own research funding in those areas does get cut back, we may have difficulty creating new opportunities. Previous NIH budget cuts resulted in fewer new researchers getting funded, to the point where special policies had to be enacted to make sure funding didn’t only go to established investigators. Fewer new researchers means fewer chances to redress existing disparities. Of course fiscal responsibility is important and not every study merits federal funding. But whatever resources we do allocate to scientific research, we need a way to consider the long-term soft benefits like inspiration. Funding organizations may very well do so, but public conversation about research spending is quick to focus on tangible products.

In your field, what indirect or soft benefits are considered when deciding which projects to pursue?

Andy Walsh
Andy Walsh

Andy has worn many hats in his life. He knows this is a dreadfully clichéd notion, but since it is also literally true he uses it anyway. Among his current metaphorical hats: husband of one wife, father of two teenagers, reader of science fiction and science fact, enthusiast of contemporary symphonic music, and chief science officer. Previous metaphorical hats include: comp bio postdoc, molecular biology grad student, InterVarsity chapter president (that one came with a literal hat), music store clerk, house painter, and mosquito trapper. Among his more unique literal hats: British bobby, captain’s hats (of varying levels of authenticity) of several specific vessels, a deerstalker from 221B Baker St, and a railroad engineer’s cap. His monthly Science in Review is drawn from his weekly Science Corner posts — Wednesdays, 8am (Eastern) on the Emerging Scholars Network Blog. His book Faith across the Multiverse is available from Hendrickson.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Filed Under: Science and Faith Tagged With: india, mars, science, science corner, space, Women in Science

Reader Interactions

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member

Membership is Free. Sign up and receive our monthly newsletter and access ESN member benefits.

Join ESN Today

Scholar’s Compass Booklet

Scholar's Compass Booklet

Click here to get your copy

Top Posts

  • The Message of Genesis 1
  • Book Review: The Problem of Pain
  • Christian Views of Creation
  • Dealing with Tension between Science and the Bible
  • A Prayer for Those Finishing a Semester

Facebook Posts

Facebook Posts

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Recent Posts

  • Science Corner: “From a Certain Point of View”
  • Encouraging One Another
  • Science Corner: Grandmother, What Grey Fur You Have

Article Categories

Footer Logo
© 2025 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA®. All rights reserved.
InterVarsity, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, and the InterVarsity logo are trademarks of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and its affiliated companies.

Member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us